Flip-over dual stack dispensing box

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a container for dispensing articles from first and second stacks within the container. The container has an upper panel with a first dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles and a lower panel with a second dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles. A panel for separating the first and second stacks of articles is provided within the container. The first stack of articles may be dispensed through the first dispensing opening so that the container may be turned over and the second stack of articles may be dispensed through the second dispensing opening.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved box with four (4) stacks of articles with dual openings on the top and bottom of the box. Each opening provides access to a separate stack of articles separated by a fixed or movable divider. Thus, when the top stack of articles is emptied, the box can be flipped over so as to easily access the second stack of articles in the once bottom stack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Dispensing boxes or containers are often the simplest means to store and access various articles ranging from candies to pills, etc. However, tall dispensing box openings often provide limited access to articles resting on the bottom. Moreover, it is cumbersome or awkward to reach down an often tiny opening to grab an article all the way at the bottom of such a box. In addition, replacing such dispensing boxes when the contents are emptied is inconvenient. There is a need for a dispensing box that provides for easy access to the bottom of a tall dispensing box without sacrificing the amount of articles that may be stored or dispensed.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide for a dispensing box with up to four (4) or more short stacks of articles with most openings being exposed on the top and bottom of the box. Each opening provides access to a separate stack of articles separated by a divider(s). Thus, when the top stack of articles is emptied, the box can simply be flipped over so as to easily access the second stack of articles in the (once) bottom stack.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,249 discloses a sanitary paper dispenser which is open at both ends. Thus, the sanitary paper may be accessed from the top or bottom of the dispenser.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,849 discloses a tissue dispenser box with atop wall and a front wall having a first slot and second slots respectively. The slots are rectangular and parallel to each other. The slots are non-intersecting and each allow access to tissues in the box.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,354 discloses a plastic container for facial tissues where the tissues will be removed vertically from the top opening. An internal control plate controls the subsequent removal of tissues from the packet inside the container one tissue at a time and also assists in holding the tissues vertically for ease of removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a container for dispensing articles from first and second stacks within the container. The container has an upper panel with a first dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles and a lower panel with a second dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles. A panel for separating the first and second stacks of articles is provided within the container. The first stack of articles may be dispensed through the first dispensing opening so that the container may be turned over and the second stack of articles may be dispensed through the second dispensing opening.

[0008] In alternate embodiments, the container may have four (4) or more adjacent stacks of articles in which the first and second stacks can be equally accessed at a time through the first and second dispensing openings. When those two (2) stacks are depleted, the container can be flipped over, revealing a third and fourth opening which permit access to a third and fourth stack of articles respectively.

[0009] In another alternate embodiment, the container can be turned on its side so as to expose the first and second openings which are horizontally opposed. Thus, there can be equal access to the first and second stacks of articles at the same time.

[0010] In another alternate embodiment, the container may contain a grouping of randomly arranged articles and may be made to form to various sizes.

[0011] In another alternate embodiment the container may include two containers separably attached by a perforation.

[0012] In another alternate embodiment, the container may contain a grouping of randomly arranged articles instead of stacked articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved article dispenser;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for an improved article dispenser having four (4) adjacent dispensing openings with a reclosable flap;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for an improved article dispenser having two (2) adjacent dispensing openings that can be accessed from either side of the container;

[0016]FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment for an improved article dispenser that has a perforation between the upper and lower containers; and

[0017]FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment for an improved article dispenser that contains a grouping of randomly arranged articles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018]FIG. 1 shows a container 10 for dispensing articles 15 within the container 10 comprising a container 20 having an upper panel 22 with a first dispensing opening 24 therein for dispensing articles 15 from a first stack 25 of articles 15 and a lower panel 26 with a second opening 28 formed therein for dispensing articles 15 from a second stack 29 of articles 15. A means 30 for separating the first and second stacks 25, 29 of articles disposed within the container 20. The first stack 25 of articles 15 may be dispensed through the first dispensing opening 24 so that the container 20 may be turned over and the second stack 29 of articles 15 may be dispensed through the second dispensing opening 28. The means 30 for separating the first and second stacks 25, 29 of articles 15 extend between the walls 40 of the container 20.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0019]FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of container 100 for dispensing articles 115 within the container 100 comprising a container 120 having a first upper panel 122 with a first dispensing opening 124 formed therein for dispensing articles 115 from a first stack 125 of articles 115 and a second upper panel 126 with a second dispensing opening 128 formed therein for dispensing articles 115 from a second stack 129 of articles 115. Container 100 also contains a first lower panel 130 with a third dispensing opening 132 formed therein for dispensing articles 115 from a third stack 134 of articles 115 and a second lower panel 136 with a fourth dispensing opening 138 formed therein for dispensing articles 115 from a fourth stack 139 of articles 115. A first means 140 is also provided for separating the first and third stacks 125, 134 of articles 115 disposed within container 100 and second means 142 for separating the second and fourth stacks 129, 139 of articles 115 disposed within container 100. The first stack 125 of articles 115 may be dispensed through said first dispensing opening 124 and the second stack 129 of articles may be dispensed through a second dispensing opening 128. The container 100 may be turned over and said third stack 134 of articles 115 may be dispensed through said third dispensing opening 132, and the fourth stack 139 of articles 115 may be dispensed through the fourth dispensing opening 138. The first means 140 for separating includes a separating member 144 extending between the first and third stacks 125, 134 of articles 115. A second means 142 for separating include a separating member 146 extending between the second and fourth stacks 129, 139 of articles 115. The first and second stacks 125, 129 are separated by a first vertically extending member 148 and wherein the third and fourth stacks 134, 139 are separated by a second vertically extending member 149.

[0020]FIG. 2 also shows that dispensing openings 124, 128; 132, 138 of the respective container may include reclosable flaps 150 and 152 so the remaining elements of the stack do not fall out when container 100 is turned over. It should be understood that this type of reclosable flap may be used on any of the embodiments herein.

[0021]FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of container 200 for dispensing articles 215 from a first stack 225 and a second stack 229 of articles 215 disposed within the container 200, comprising a container 220 having a first side panel 222 with a first dispensing opening 224 formed therein for dispensing articles 215 from the first stack 225 of articles 215 and a second side panel 226 with a second dispensing opening 228 formed therein for dispensing articles 215 from the second stack 229 of articles 215. A device 240 is provided for separating the first and second stacks 225, 229 of articles 215 disposed within the container 220. The first stack 225 of articles 215 may be dispensed through the first dispensing opening 224. Without turning over the container 220 the second stack 229 of articles 215 may be dispensed through said second dispensing opening 228. The means 240 for separating include a separating member 244 extending between the walls 250 of the container 220.

[0022]FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of container 500 which includes two vertically arranged and separable first and second containers 520, 522, wherein the upper first container 520 incorporates a first stack 524 and the lower second container 522 incorporates a second stack 526. Container 500 also includes a perforated means 525 for separating the first upper container 520 from the lower second container 522 so containers 520, 522 may be separated and individually used.

[0023]FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of container 400 for dispensing articles 415 within the container 400 comprising a container 420 having an upper panel 422 with a first dispensing opening 424 therein for dispensing articles 415 from a group 425 of randomly arranged articles 415 and a lower panel 426 with a second opening 428 formed therein for dispensing articles 415 from a second group 425 a of randomly arranged articles 415 such as pills, candy or pellets. A device 430 for separating the first and second groups 425, 429 of articles 415 is disposed within the container 420. The first group 425 of articles 415 may be dispensed through the first dispensing opening 424 so that the container 420 may be turned over and the second group 429 of articles 415 may be dispensed through the second dispensing opening 428. The means 430 for separating the first and second groups 425, 429 of articles 415 extend between the walls 440 of the container 420.

[0024] Containers 10, 100, 200, 400, 500 may be made from cardboard, metal, plastic, tin or stainless steel. The articles 15, 115, 215, and to be placed in containers 10, 100, 200, 500 may consist of tissue paper, napkins, wipes, paper towels, frozen ice cream, frozen food, frozen pizza, crayons, other foods and other articles. The articles to be placed in container 400 may consist of pills, candy, pellets, and other articles

[0025] Operation

[0026] Container 10 has a container 20 comprising an upper panel 22 with a first dispensing opening 24 for dispensing articles 15 from a first stock 25 of articles 15 and a lower panel 26 with a second opening 28 for dispensing articles 15 from a second stack 29 of articles 15. A means 30 horizontally separates the first and second stacks 25, 29 of articles 15. When the first stack 25 of articles 15 is depleted, container 10 may be flipped over to reveal a second dispensing opening 28, which provides access to the second stack 29 of articles 15. The first dispensing opening 24 may be resealed with a reclosable flap 300 so any left over articles 15 will not fall out when flipping container 10.

[0027] An alternate embodiment, container 100, contains a container 120 having a first upper panel 122 with a first dispensing opening 124 for dispensing articles 115 from a first stack 125 of articles 115 and a second upper panel 126 with a second dispensing opening 128 for dispensing articles 115 from a second stack 129 of articles 115. When the first and second stacks 125, 129 of articles are depleted, container 100 can be flipped over to expose a third and fourth dispensing opening 132, 138 which allow access to a third and fourth stack 134, 139 of articles 115. Each individual stack is compartmentalized.

[0028] An alternate embodiment, container 200, contains a container 220 having a first side panel 222 with a first dispensing opening 224 for dispensing articles 215 from a first stack 225 of articles 215 and second side panel 226 with a second dispensing opening 228 formed therein for dispensing articles 215 from the second stack 229 of articles 215. The first and second stacks 225, 229 are separated by a means 240. The first and second dispensing openings 224, 228 are horizontally opposed to each other, so they can be equally accessed to the first and second stacks 225, 229 from either side of the container 200.

[0029] An alternate embodiment, container 500, which includes two vertically arranged and separable first and second container 520, 522 can be separated by tearing the perforation means 520 between the two containers 520, 522.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0030] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide for a dispensing box with up to four (4) short stacks of articles with at most openings being exposed on the top and bottom of the box. Each opening provides access to a separate stack of articles separated by a divider. Thus, when the top stack of articles is emptied, the box can simply be flipped over so as to easily access the second stack of articles in the (once) bottom stack.

[0031] A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for dispensing articles from a first stack and a second stack of articles disposed within the container, comprising: a) a container having an upper panel with a first dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles from the first stack of articles and a lower panel with a second dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles from the second stack of articles; b) means for separating the first and second stacks of articles disposed within said container; and c) wherein the first stack of articles may be dispensed through said first dispensing opening, and wherein the container may be turned over and the second stack of articles may be dispensed through said second dispensing opening.
 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said means for separating includes a separating member extending between the walls of the container.
 3. A container according to claim 1, wherein said container includes a means for opening and reclosing said first and second dispensing openings in the form of a reclosable flap or perforated flap.
 4. A container according to claim 1, wherein said container is made from material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, metal, plastic, tin and stainless steel.
 5. A container according to claim 1, wherein said articles are selected from the group consisting of tissue paper, napkins, wipes, paper towels, frozen ice cream, frozen food, frozen pizza, and crayons.
 6. A container according to claim 1, wherein said container includes two vertically arranged and separable first and second containers, wherein said upper first container includes said first stack and said lower second container includes said second stack.
 7. A container according to claim 6, wherein said first and second containers include a perforated means for separating said upper first container from said lower second container, so said containers may be separated and individually used.
 8. A container according to claim 1, wherein said means for separating may be disposed at different heights within said container to accommodate stocks of different sizes and articles.
 9. A container for dispensing articles from four or more stacks of articles disposed within the container, comprising: a) a container having a first upper panel with a first dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles from a first stack of articles and a second upper panel with a second dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles from a second stack of articles; b) said container having a first lower panel with a third dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles from a third stack of articles and a second lower panel with a fourth dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles from a fourth stack of articles; c) first means for separating the first and third stacks of articles disposed within said container and second means for separating the second and fourth stacks of articles disposed within said container; and d) wherein the first stack of articles may be dispensed through said first dispensing opening and said second stack of articles may be dispensed through said second dispensing opening, and wherein said container may be turned over and said third stack of articles may be dispensed through said third dispensing opening, and said fourth stack of articles may be dispensed through said fourth dispensing opening.
 10. A container according to claim 9, wherein said first means for separating includes a separating member extending between the first and third stacks of articles; and wherein said second means for separating includes a separating member extending between the second and fourth stacks of articles.
 11. A container according to claim 9, wherein said first and second stacks are separated by a first vertically extending member, and wherein said third and fourth stacks are separated by a second vertically extending member.
 12. A container according to claim 9, wherein said container includes means for opening and reclosing said first and second dispensing openings in the form of a reclosable flap or perforated flap.
 13. A container according to claim 9, wherein said container is made from material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, metal, plastic, tin and stainless steel.
 14. A container according to claim 9, wherein said articles are selected from the group consisting of tissue paper, napkins, wipes, paper towels, frozen ice cream, frozen food, frozen pizza, and crayons.
 15. A container for dispensing articles from a first stack and a second stack of articles disposed within the container, comprising: a) a container having a first side panel with a first dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles from the first stack of articles and a second side panel with a second dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles from the second stack of articles; b) means for separating the first and second stacks of articles disposed within said container; and c) wherein the first stack of articles may be dispensed through said first dispensing opening, and without turning over the container the second stack of articles may be dispensed through said second dispensing opening.
 16. A container according to claim 15, wherein said means for separating includes a separating member extending between the walls of the container.
 17. A container according to claim 15, wherein said container includes a means for opening and reclosing said first and second dispensing openings in the form of a reclosable flap or a perforated flap.
 18. A container according to claim 15, wherein said container is made from material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, metal, plastic, tin and stainless steel.
 19. A container according to claim 15, wherein said articles are selected from the group consisting of tissue paper, napkins, wipes, paper towels, frozen ice cream, frozen food, frozen pizza, and crayons.
 20. A container for dispensing articles from a first group and a second group of randomly arranged articles disposed within the container, comprising: d) a container having an upper panel with a first dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles from the first group of articles and a lower panel with a second dispensing opening formed therein for dispensing articles from the second group of articles; e) means for separating the first and second groups of articles disposed within said container; and f) wherein the first group of articles may be dispensed through said first dispensing opening, and wherein the container may be turned over and the second group of articles may be dispensed through said second dispensing opening.
 21. A container according to claim 20, wherein said means for separating include a separating member extending between the walls of the container.
 22. A container according to claim 20, wherein said container includes a means for opening and reclosing said first and second dispensing openings in the form of a reclosable flap or a perforated flap.
 23. A container according to claim 20, wherein said container is made from material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, metal, plastic, tin and stainless steel.
 24. A container according to claim 20, wherein said articles are selected from the group consisting of pills, candy and pellets.
 25. A container according to claim 20, wherein said means for separating may be disposed at different heights within said container. 